High Point is poised to play host to a USA Cycling National Championship this July, an event expected to draw more than 8,000 cyclists and supporters to the Triad. The city was selected in 2011 from more than 40 contenders, including Sacramento, Calif., and Austin, Texas, to host the Pro Criterium championship this year and next. Criterium road races are team-based competitions that feature a shorter course of less than 3 miles with repeated laps that can last several hours. …
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North Carolina Weekend
For the week of May 23 on UNC-TV’s North Carolina Weekend, thrill to the new sport of bellyaking on the French Broad River in Asheville. Experience the wonders of nature at Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park in Scotland Neck. Take in a show or enjoy any other of the activities at the Theater of the American South Festival in Wilson. Step way back in time at the Aurora Fossil Museum in Aurora. And the “House Special” samples the fare at The …
Thursday Open Line
There are few bonds in nature to rival that between pets and their owners. Most pets are rewarded for their loyalty and devotion with shelter, food, and welcome attention. Though less welcome, they are also rewarded with medical care. Pets commonly make several visits a year to the veterinarian for annual shots and a checkup. Of course, they also go to the vet if they get sick or hurt. The first veterinary school in the U.S. opened on this date …
Henderson-Vance Community Watch Association Meeting Thursday, May 23rd 7pm
The Henderson-Vance Community Watch Association would like to discuss the importance of safety at home and on the road. Vacation season is fast approaching and travel plans are being made. What can you do to ensure the safety of yourself and your personal property? This will be the topic for the General Membership meeting May 23, 2013 @ 7PM at Maria Parham Hospital Auditorium. We will recognize Officer Lt. Irvin Robinson, of the Henderson Police Department and Deputy Lt. Lloyd …
Henderson City Council Budget Work Session #1, May 23rd
Henderson City Council Budget Work Session # 1 Tuesday, 23 May 2013 6:00 PM City Hall Council Chambers, 134 Rose Ave., Henderson, NC 27536 Download the full agenda packet here: 20130523_coh_agenda_packet
VGCC to host Screening of Documentary Film
Vance-Granville Community College will host a screening of “Las Abuelas De Plaza De Mayo and the Search for Identity,” a documentary film, on Wednesday, June 5 at 1 p.m. in the conference room in Building 8 on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County. The public is invited to attend the presentation, which is offered free of charge. The VGCC Global Awareness Committee is sponsoring the event. Dr. Charlie Tuggle, Reese Felts Distinguished Professor at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of …
Raleigh is Forbes #2 Next Biggest Boom Town In The U.S.
From Forbes: Raleigh has experienced the second-highest overall population increase and the third-highest job growth over the past two decades in the U.S. It also ranked among those regions seeing the biggest jump in new immigrants and is the No. 1 city for families with young children. The area is a magnet for technology companies fleeing the more expensive, congested and highly regulated northeast corridor. Affordable housing and short commute times are no doubt highly attractive to recent college graduates …
Lagarris Alexander Peace Arrested on Heroin Charges
On Tuesday, May 21, 2013, officers with the Henderson Police Department arrested Lagarris Alexander Peace. Peace was charged with one count of trafficking heroin by possession and one count of trafficking heroin by transportation after a Vance County Grand Jury returned true bills of indictment for the alleged offenses. Peace was already out on bond charged with one count of trafficking heroin by sale. All charges stem from an incident occurring on October 19, 2012. Peace was placed in the …
Amtrak’s Piedmont fastest-growing in U.S.
Amtrak’s Piedmont train service was number one in the nation in growth within the Amtrak system during fiscal year 2012. According to Amtrak reports, March 2013 saw a 10 percent increase in Piedmont ridership over March 2012, and a 21 percent increase in revenue over the same period. The Carolinian, which saw a suspension of service for most of March last year for track work, had a 61 percent increase in ridership in March over last year, and a 90 …
Biomass energy company Enviva opens new wood pellet production facility in Northampton County
Monday (May 20), Governor Pat McCrory and John Keppler, the Chairman and CEO of biomass energy firm Enviva celebrated the grand opening of the company’s newest wood pellet production facility in Northampton County. The facility, with the capacity to produce 500,000 metric tons of material a year, will have a significant economic impact in the region and employs 79 full time workers. “Global demand for biomass energy is projected to increase substantially over the next decade,” said Mr. Keppler. “Our …
Bayer CropScience opens new Development North America facilities in RTP
With the expansion of its North American headquarters in Research Triangle Park, Bayer CropScience continues to develop sustainable solutions for farmers around the world as well as for the communities where we live, work and play. The crop protection company celebrated the opening of its new Development North America facilities and laboratories earlier this month. These facilities boast 40,000 square feet of space in which nearly 70 scientists will conduct crop protection and environmental science research, including pest and turf …
Early-planted corn is showing problems
RALEIGH — Corn planted early in the year often yields better than late-planted corn, but it can also be hindered by unfavorable weather. This year, cool and wet conditions early in the season have stressed plants and slowed root growth. As a result, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services reports that many fields now show evidence of nutrient deficiency, especially of phosphorus and sulfur. Corn plants that are purple because of phosphorus deficiency are showing up even in …
North Carolina Public Schools Enter End-of-Year Assessment Period; Test Scores to be Reported in New READY Accountability Model This Fall
Students in grades 3 through high school have begun the assessment period to measure their learning from this school year. This is a well-known routine for public school teachers and students, reaching back to 1993 for end-of-grade assessments and even further for high school end-of-course assessments, but this year, assessments are new to match the new Standard Course of Study that teachers began implementing last fall. Students in grades 3 through 8 will take end-of-grade tests in reading and mathematics. …
Boone ranked 4th for restaurant growth; Laurinburg and Kill Devil Hills also among top 10
Boone recently landed among the top five cities in the nation on Nielsen’s annual Restaurant Growth Index. According to the company, the Restaurant Growth Index, or RGI, “charts restaurant openings and sales to identify the nation’s hottest markets.” Boone landed at No. 4 on the list, behind Ocean Pines, Md., Findlay, Ohio, and Liberal, Kan. “Boone is a tourist destination, drawing 225,000 each year. It’s also home to Appalachian State University, which has seen dramatic growth in the last decade …
Syngenta opens unique $72 million Advanced Crop Lab
Syngenta unveiled its new crop research facility during a grand opening celebration on May 17 at the company’s RTP Innovation Center. The first-of-its-kind, $72 million Advanced Crop Lab allows company researchers to simulate any agricultural climate and precisely measure plant inputs – the key to helping farmers grow more food from fewer resources. “Our new Advanced Crop Lab allows us to bring together components of all research where we can create environments for multiple crops from multiple regions — simultaneously,” …
VGCC Earth Day festivals feature student projects
Vance-Granville Community College held Earth Day festivals on April 22 on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County and South Campus in Granville County. At both locations, students competed with one another to create projects to educate attendees about various environmental issues. Alongside student exhibits were informative displays, works of art and demonstrations related to science, nature and sustainability, provided by college faculty and community members. Meanwhile, the second annual Earth Day “Fun Run/Walk” took place on Main Campus, promoting …
Wednesday Open Line
Many things we take for granted in current society actually had their beginnings in colonial America. And many beginnings in colonial America took place in Philadelphia. The first known life insurance company was called the Corporation for Relief of Poor and Distressed Widows and Children of Presbyterian Ministers chartered this month in 1759. Given the time and location, it should not be surprising that Benjamin Franklin was involved in setting up the business. Now, there are 946 life insurance companies …
President Obama Speaks on the Oklahoma Tornadoes
This morning, President Obama delivered a statement on the devastating tornadoes and severe weather affecting Oklahoma. He described the response efforts underway, and assured the people of Moore and all the affected areas that they “would have all the resources that they need at their disposal.” “Americans from every corner of this country will be right there with them, opening our homes, our hearts to those in need,” President Obama said. “Because we’re a nation that stands with our fellow …
VGCC holds Athletics Banquet
Vance-Granville Community College celebrated Vanguard student-athletes at its annual Athletics Banquet, held on April 17 in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus. VGCC Director of Student Activities and Athletics Jasmine Hightower served as mistress of ceremonies. Following dinner, women’s volleyball coach Heather Chance and assistant coach Pam DeZurik started the program by presenting awards to their players. Brittny Shells of Oxford was honored for maintaining the highest GPA on the team. Veronica Papandrea of Durham was named the …
Vance County Board of Education Upcoming Committee Meetings
Curriculum Committee, Thursday, May 23rd, 9:00 am Finance Committee, Wednesday, May 29th, 5:30 pm Policy Committee, Wednesday, May 29th, 6:00 pm Personnel Committee, Tuesday, June 4th, 8:30 am Note: All meetings are held in the Superintendent’s Conference Room.